Cork held off a brave second half rally from Tipperary to secure a 1-16 to 0-15 victory in the first round of the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship at Semple Stadium.
Gemma O’Connor and Orla Cotter were amongst the stars for the champions who raced into a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead. Maria Walsh’s goal three minutes after the resumption stretched their advantage to seven points.
Tipp rallied well after this setback though. With Claire Grogan unerring from placed balls – she slotted five frees and a 45 in total to go with a good score from play – they dragged themselves back in contention but could not find the goal they needed.
Last year’s runners-up Kilkenny, got their attempt to go one better off to a good start at Nowlan Park, when they prevailed by 1-14 to 1-11 over Galway.
Ann Downey’s side led by 0-9 to 0-5 at half time, Michelle Quilty converting four frees and Denise Gaule hitting three of her four points from play but Galway upped the tempo after the resumption, scoring 1-4 without reply to put themselves in a strong position with 19 minutes remaining, Breda Hanney providing the goal.
Ann Dalton slotted two points in response and Quilty set up Aoife Neary for a 48th minute goal to restore Kilkenny’s advantage and they held out to take the honours.
In the third game, Clare came away from St Peregrine’s with a 2-10 to 0-9 win over Dublin, goals from Claire McMahon and the excellent Norah Murphy proving enough to overcome the home side, for whom Louise O’Hara was outstanding.
Gemma O’Connor and Orla Cotter were amongst the stars for the champions who raced into a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead. Maria Walsh’s goal three minutes after the resumption stretched their advantage to seven points.
Tipp rallied well after this setback though. With Claire Grogan unerring from placed balls – she slotted five frees and a 45 in total to go with a good score from play – they dragged themselves back in contention but could not find the goal they needed.
Last year’s runners-up Kilkenny, got their attempt to go one better off to a good start at Nowlan Park, when they prevailed by 1-14 to 1-11 over Galway.
Ann Downey’s side led by 0-9 to 0-5 at half time, Michelle Quilty converting four frees and Denise Gaule hitting three of her four points from play but Galway upped the tempo after the resumption, scoring 1-4 without reply to put themselves in a strong position with 19 minutes remaining, Breda Hanney providing the goal.
Ann Dalton slotted two points in response and Quilty set up Aoife Neary for a 48th minute goal to restore Kilkenny’s advantage and they held out to take the honours.
In the third game, Clare came away from St Peregrine’s with a 2-10 to 0-9 win over Dublin, goals from Claire McMahon and the excellent Norah Murphy proving enough to overcome the home side, for whom Louise O’Hara was outstanding.
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